Canopy supporting frame and canopy

ABSTRACT

This canopy supporting frame and canopy comprises two end frame assemblies adapted to be supported in upright spaced apart relation and connected with each other by a medial bow member and two lateral bow members which support a top or canopy of canvas or like pliable material. The medial bow member serves as a ridge pole for the canopy and edges of the canopy are attached to the two lateral bow members. The two lateral bow members are adjustably supported by arms which are parts of the end frame assemblies and which can be moved to widely change the pitch of the canopy while keeping the areas of the canopy at the two sides of the medial bow constant and tightly stretched. All parts are foldable into a compact bundle.

United States Patent [191 Kuxhouse et al.

[451 June 24, 1975 CANOPY SUPPORTING FRAME AND CANOPY 22 Filed: Nov. 23, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 418,543

[52] US. Cl. l35/7.1 R; 135/5 R Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe Assistant ExaminerDavid H. Corbin [57] ABSTRACT This canopy supporting frame and canopy comprises two end frame assemblies adapted to be supported in upright spaced apart relation and connected with each other by a medial bow member and two lateral bow members which support a top or canopy of canvas or like pliable material. The medial bow member serves as a ridge pole for the canopy and edges of the canopy are attached to the two lateral bow members. The two lateral bow members are adjustably supported by arms which are parts of the end frame assemblies and which can be moved to widely change the pitch of the canopy while keeping the areas of the canopy at the two sides of the medial bow constant and tightly stretched. All parts are foldable into a compact bundle.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1 CANOPY SUPPORTING FRAME AND CANOPY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of our invention is to provide a foldable and adjustable frame adapted to support a canopy of pliable material and which can be quickly and easily attached in an upright position to a suitable support. such as a table or the hull of an open boat or the body of a truck and is capable of being adjusted so it will support the canopy in various different positions in which it will best serve as a sun shade or as a wind break or as a cover or top to exclude rain, snow or the like from the space below it.

Another object is to provide a canopy supporting frame and canopy which is well adapted for use as a shelter means in yards and gardens and on patios and in parks, camp grounds and like places where tables are provided.

Other objects of our invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a small scale perspective view showing the canopy supporting frame supported from a table, part of the canopy being broken away.

FIG. 2 is an end view on a larger scale than FIG. 1 showing the frame in an upright position with the canopy on it.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing a foot clamp used to support the end frame assemblies upright.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary ekevational view of a hinge used to connect end frame assembly members with transverse bow members.

FIG. 5 is a view taken substantiallt on line 5-5 of FIG. 4-.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view taken on line 66 of FIG. 2 showing an adjustable sleeve on a poat together with means for securing said sleeve and two shorter frame arms to the post.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an inner flattened and notched end of a longer frame arm.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts in all Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT This device comprises two end frame assemblies of duplicate construction and similar parts of these assemblies are similarly numbered herein. These two end frame assemblies are adapted to be supported in upright, spaced apart parallel relation abd to be connected with each other by bow members. Each end assembly comprises a normally upright tubular post 10, preferably formed of metal. Each post has at its bottom end a clamp foot indicated generally by 11, by which the post can be supported upright from supports of various sizes and shapes. The said clamp foot 11 is best shown in FIG. 3. It comprises an angle bracket formed of a tubular part 12 and a flat part 13. Part 13 has in it a slot 14 extending from its outer end toward part 12. and provides for desirable adjustment. The tubular part 12 is dimensioned to receive and fit snugly over the lower end of a post 10 and is secured to the post 10 by a clamp screw 15 which provides for rotative adjustment of part 12 on post 10. The flat slotted part 13 is adapted to be adjustably secured to a clamp member 16 of U-shaped cross section by a bolt 17 having on it a wing nut 18. Two holes 19 and 20 are provided in two different sides of clamp member 16 which are positioned at right angles to each other to receive the bolt 17 either when the clamp member 17 is applied to a horizontal support, such as a table top, or to a vertical support, such as the side ofa boat or truck body. Clamp screws 21, preferably two in number, are provided in a side of the clamp member 16 for clamping the same to a support. The several adjustments provided for by clamp foot 11 make possible the application of this device to supports which vary widely in shape, size and positions.

The upper ends of the posts 10 of two similar end frame assemblies are connected by hinges designated generally by 24 with downwardly extending short end portions 22 of a medial bow member 23 which extends transversely between the two end assemblies when the device is in use. The bow member 23 serves as a ridge pole and cooperates in supporting a canopy 25 of canvas or similar pliable material. The posts 10 and bow member 25 are metal tubes and each hinge 24, see FIGS. 4 and 5, is composed of two parts each formed of a shank 26, a shoulder part 27 of larger diameter than the shank, and a flange 28 of semi-cylindrical cross section. One corner of the flange part 28 of each hinge member is rounded off, as indicated at 30 and the other corner is left square, as indicated by 31, to serve as a stop member. When the shanks 26 of two hinge parts are permanently installed in the correct positions, one in a post It and the other in a short end part 22 of a bow member 23 and are properly positioned face to face and connected by a pivot pin 29 the hinge formed by the several parts will permit about ninety degrees of angular movement between each post 10 and the bow member 23 with which it is connected. This makes it possible to fold each post it) into a position alongside of the medial bow member 23 with which it is connected and limits outward swinging movement of the post 10 to a position about at right angles to the bow member 23. Limiting outward swinging movement of each post 30 relative to the bow member it is connected with provides stability.

Each post 10 has on it a lower sleeve 32 and an upper sleeve 33. A thumb screw 34 is provided to lock each sleeve 32 and 33 in different adjusted positions on its post 10. Two longer arms 35 are pivotally connected with the lower sleeve 32 on each post 10 and extend outwardly and upwardly relative to the post when the device is set up for use. Two shorter arms 36 each have one end pivoted to the upper sleeve 33 on each post and the other end pivotally connected by a clamp member 37 and screw 38 with one of the longer arms 35. Preferably the distance of each clamp 37 from the lower sleeve 32 is about equal to the over all length of each shorter arm 36 and the shorter arms 36 and parts of the longer arms 35 between the lower sleeve 32 and clamps 37 form a parallelogram. The shorter arms 36 are herein shown to be metal tubes flattened and perforated at each end and as having their outer ends pivoted on the screws 38 which hold clamps 37. The clamps 37 are constructed and dimensioned so that tightening of the screws 38 will securely bind said clamps to the longer arms 35 but will leave the flattened end portions of the shorter arms 36 free to pivot.

Preferably the flattened inner end of each longer arm 35 has in it a transverse notch 39, FIG. 7, adapted to fit over the thumb screw 34 which secures the lower sleeve 32 to the post 10. Each thumb screw 34 is relatively long and has on it a washer 40 and a wing nut 41. The flattened inner ends of each pair of arms 35 and 36 are positioned between the washer 4t) and wing nut 41 on the screw 34 they fit over. This allows the sleeve 32 or 33 to be securely clamped to the post by tightening the screw 34 and the flattened end portions of the arms to then be clamped between washer 40 and wing nut 41 by tightening the wing nut. The notches 39 permit easy detachment of longer arms 35 from lower sleeve 32 without removing the screw from said sleeve 32.

The outer ends of the longer arms 35 of each end frame assembly are connected respectively by hinge members 24 of a form hereinbefore described and shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, with short perpendicular end portions 43 of two similar lateral bow members 44. Two opposite edge portions of the canopy 25 are secured respectively to the two lateral bow members 44. Preferably each end of the canopy is provided with an end part or flap 46, FIG. 2, and said end part 46 is provided at a medial position with an insert or gusset 47 of elastic material which incures a neater fit and better ap pearance. The canopy 25 can be attached to or left un attached as respects the medial bow member 23.

In erecting this canopy the foot members 11 of the two end assemblies are clamped to a support, such as two opposite ends or sides of a table T or to two opposite sides of a truck body or a boat hull and with the foot members spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the length of the bows 23 and 44 the two sleeves 32 and 33 on each post 10 can be adjusted to position the longer arms 35 and lateral bows 44 so that the canopy 25 is fairly taut in a direction transverse to the length of the bows and is supported at any desired pitch. Making both of the sleeves 32 and 33 on each post 10 adjustable makes it possible to vary the pitch of the two sides of the canopy and at the same time to keep it tightly stretched.

In folding this canopy and frame the two sleeves 32 and 33 on each post 10 are unclamped from the posts and the longer arms 35 are folded inwaedly so that they lie alongside of the posts. This positions the two lateral bows 44 alongside of the medial bow 23 with the canopy 25 loosely supported from the bows. The two end frame assemblies are then folded inwardly so they overlie each other with the bow members and longer and shorter arms and posts all substantially parallel to each other in a compact bundle of substantially the same length as the bow members. The hinges 24 which connect the bow members with parts of the end frame assrmblies make possible this compact folding.

We claim:

I. A canopy supporting frame and canopy comprising two end frame assemblies of duplicate construction adapted to be supported in opposed, upright spaced apart relation when in use, each end frame assembly comprising an upright post, a lower sleeve and an upper sleeve each slidably movable on said post, means operable in releasably securing each sleeve in different adjusted positions on its post, two longer bow member supporting arms each having one end pivotally attached to the lower sleeve on each post, two shorter arms each having one end pivotally connected with the upper sleeve on each post and the other end pivotally connceted with one of the longer arms outwardly from the lower sleeve; a medial bow member supported by and extending between the upper ends of the two upright posts; two lateral bow members supported by said longer arms and extending between the outer ends of said longer arms and positioned parallel with and at opposite sides of said medial bow member, said medial bow member and each of said lateral bow members terminating at each end in a rigidly attached short end part which is substantially perpendicular to the main part of the bow member; a hinge pivotally connecting the shorter end part of said medial bow member with the upper end of one of said posts; other hinges pivotally connecting the short end parts at each end of each of the two lateral bow members with the outer end of one of said longer arms, the pivotal connection of the longer and shorter arms with each other and with said slidable and adjustable sleeves providing for the folding of said longer and shorter arms alongside of said posts and the hinges connecting the short terminal end parts of the medial bow member and the lateral bow members with the upper ends of the posts and the outer ends of the longer arms respectively providing for ninety degree inward folding of the end assemblies parrallel to the bow members; and a canopy of pliable material extending over said medial bow member and having opposite edges secured to the respective lateral bow members, the two adjustable sleeves on each post in cooperation with the shorter arms which connect each upper sleeve with two longer arms providing for movement of said longer arms in adjusting the pitch and tension of the areas of canopy on opposite sides of the medial bow member while always maintaining said two areas equal.

2. The canopy supporting frame and canopy as claimed in claim l in which the distance outwardly from the lower sleeve to the pivotal connection of each shorter arm with a longer arm is substantially equal to the length of the shorter arm.

3. The canopy supporting frame and canopy as claimed in claim 1 in which the lower end of the post of each end frame assembly is provided with an adjustable clamp member capable pf supporting the end frame assembly upright when it is secured to a fixed 

1. A canopy supporting frame and canopy comprising two end frame assemblies of duplicate construction adapted to be supported in opposed, upright spaced apart relation when in use, each end frame assembly comprising an upright post, a lower sleeve and an upper sleeve each slidably movable on said post, means operable in releasably securing each sleeve in different adjusted positions on its post, two longer bow member supporting arms each having one end pivotally attached to the lower sleeve on each post, two shorter arms each having one end pivotally connected with the upper sleeve on each post and the other end pivotally connceted with one of the longer arms outwardly from the lower sleeve; a medial bow member supported by and extending between the upper ends of the two upright posts; two lateral bow members supported by said longer arms and extending between the outer ends of said longer arms and positioned parallel with and at opposite sides of said medial bow member, said medial bow member and each of said lateral bow members terminating at each end in a rigidly attached short end part which is substantially perpendicular to the main part of the bow member; a hinge pivotally connecting the shorter end part of said medial bow member with the upper end of one of said posts; other hinges pivotally connecting the short end parts at each end of each of the two lateral bow members with the outer end of one of sAid longer arms, the pivotal connection of the longer and shorter arms with each other and with said slidable and adjustable sleeves providing for the folding of said longer and shorter arms alongside of said posts and the hinges connecting the short terminal end parts of the medial bow member and the lateral bow members with the upper ends of the posts and the outer ends of the longer arms respectively providing for ninety degree inward folding of the end assemblies parrallel to the bow members; and a canopy of pliable material extending over said medial bow member and having opposite edges secured to the respective lateral bow members, the two adjustable sleeves on each post in cooperation with the shorter arms which connect each upper sleeve with two longer arms providing for movement of said longer arms in adjusting the pitch and tension of the areas of canopy on opposite sides of the medial bow member while always maintaining said two areas equal.
 2. The canopy supporting frame and canopy as claimed in claim 1 in which the distance outwardly from the lower sleeve to the pivotal connection of each shorter arm with a longer arm is substantially equal to the length of the shorter arm.
 3. The canopy supporting frame and canopy as claimed in claim 1 in which the lower end of the post of each end frame assembly is provided with an adjustable clamp member capable pf supporting the end frame assembly upright when it is secured to a fixed support. 